⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
I didn't expect to feel this in this life.
But things were far too complicated — this abnormal exhaustion is killing me.
I just wanted it to stop. But it didn't seem to get better, even after two days.
Still, I had to swallow it all. Staying home and isolating myself wouldn't fix anything.
So today, I decided to go out with Jane and Merlin.
Burst, surprisingly, didn't want to come — because of the rain.
And really, the weather was awful. The thick gray sky seemed to press down on the city. Heavy drops struck the ground with force, forming puddles that reflected the cold light of the lamps.
The news said the weather would stay like this for a week — which meant long, cold days ahead.
Jane walked ahead, holding a dark blue umbrella. I'm sure she could've walked without it — her mana naturally evaporated the water before a drop could touch her. But this time, she chose not to create a curtain of steam around herself.
I walked beside Merlin, holding the umbrella for the two of us. She looked much better than yesterday — more curious, more alive, the usual glow of her crown flickering in soft shades of pink.
"Look! Cards," she said suddenly, tugging on my arm.
I followed her gaze.
A man with messy black hair and blue eyes sat beneath a small improvised tent.
Even with the heavy rain pouring down, he had raised a physical barrier to protect his tarot table. The contrast between the cold outside and the warmth radiating within that small space was almost hypnotic.
"In the middle of the street, in this weather? That's brave," I commented.
"Business can't stop," he replied with a calm smile. "Would you like a reading?"
I looked at Merlin. She was clearly excited.
Jane sighed, but took a few silver coins from her wallet.
"I'll pay for the three of us," she said.
"Thank you for your trust," the man replied, making a small gesture with his hand.
An opening formed in the magic barrier, inviting us to enter.
Inside, the air was warm, almost comforting. The barrier blocked not only the rain but also the noise of the street, leaving only a peaceful silence and the faint crackle of candles.
"Who'll go first?" the man asked.
Merlin raised her hand with a small smile.
"Can I?"
"Of course," he replied, shuffling the cards with precise movements.
Three cards were laid on the table: (XIX) The Sun, (XXI) The World, and (XX) Judgment.
"What do they mean?" she asked, leaning forward.
"A beautiful combination," the man said, his eyes gleaming. "You will live a full and happy life, fulfill your dreams, and find success in everything you decide to pursue. And in the end, you'll leave with no regrets."
Merlin's crown spun slightly, glowing brighter.
"I'm glad!" she said, smiling radiantly.
Jane sat down next.
The cards revealed were (VII) The Chariot, (XII) The Hanged Man, and (VI) The Lovers.
"You also have an interesting destiny," the man said. "With determination and control, you'll come very close to your goals. But… there will be a moment when you must sacrifice something precious, in the name of the truest love."
Jane raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds more like bad luck than fortune."
The man chuckled softly.
"Fufu… depends on how you look at the future."
Finally, it was my turn.
I sat in front of him, half-suspicious. The three cards that came up didn't look promising: (IX) The Hermit, (XIII) Death (Reversed), and (XIV) Temperance.
"Hmm… curious," the man murmured. "You will face difficult times, bringing loneliness and bitterness. You'll refuse to change, bound to the past. But one day — perhaps far away — you'll find peace, and then balance will return."
"So I'm just screwed, huh," I muttered.
"Don't say that," he replied with a smile. "Everything happens for a reason."
Jane handed him the coins but seemed curious.
"Where are you from? You don't look like you're from this continent."
"You're right, beautiful lady," the man said. "I came from Anurya."
Jane's eyes widened.
"Anurya? You're very far from home… I didn't expect to meet a shaman from that continent here."
"Indeed," he laughed, adjusting his hood. "I enjoy traveling. There's nothing better than exploring the world I was born in — this great house beneath the sky."
His words lingered in my mind.
This world is far too vast. The one I lived in before feels like a grain of sand compared to this.
Thinking about how many people, cultures, and monsters exist here… it honestly scared me a little.
Jane crossed her arms.
"Your barriers are flawless. Do you belong to any special clan?"
"Yes," he replied with a faint sigh. "I'm from the Kia Clan. Or rather… I was. My talent was too low, so they expelled me. Since then, I've been traveling around."
"Kia…" Jane murmured. "I've heard that name. But the continent of Anurya is almost inaccessible — we have no real information about it. What little I know comes from my grandfather's old manuscripts — and they all describe that place as… hellish."
The man let out a soft laugh.
"He wasn't wrong. Compared to this continent, it's a bit chaotic. But it's beautiful, too. There's divine beauty amid its chaos. If you ever go there, stay away from the great families. But the smaller clans… ah, they're welcoming."
Jane nodded respectfully.
"Thank you for the advice."
When we were about to leave, the man called us again.
He picked a few cards and handed one to each of us.
For Merlin — The Sun.
For Jane — The Lovers.
And for me…
"Can I take two?" I asked.
"You must," he replied with a mysterious smile. "You have an impressive duality. It would be wrong to choose only one."
The cards I received were Death and Temperance.
We thanked him and went on our way.
The rain continued, strong and cold, but there was something comforting in that silence between us.
Merlin walked, staring at her card, smiling.
"I'm going to fulfill my dreams!"
"And I'm going to die…" I muttered.
"But it was Death Reversed!" she replied, puffing her cheeks. "And he said you'd find peace later. The Temperance card proves it."
Merlin's speech has improved a lot. I'm almost used to hearing her voice now.
"Well… people do find peace when they die."
The slap landed dry and sharp on my head.
"You're not going to die," she said, annoyed.
"Hey, easy there. I'm weak, and you're stronger than you look!"
Another slap.
"Ow!"
"If you die, I'll kill you," she said, crossing her arms.
Jane burst out laughing, holding the umbrella. I couldn't help but laugh too.
After a while, curiosity got the best of me.
"Hey, Jane. That shaman continent… what's so different about it?"
She looked ahead, thoughtful.
"You really got curious, huh? I only know the basics. Anurya is the largest continent in the world — it covers about sixty percent of the planet. Ours only has twenty. The rest is ocean."
'This world is ten thousand times larger than my old one. A continent like that is absurd.'
Jane continued.
"There are no adventurers, guilds, or mages like here. They embraced nature and spiritual energy. Mana is seen as an extension of the soul itself. Their techniques are legendary — nearly divine, reaching perfection. That's what my grandfather's records said. That's all I know."
"Speaking of which… what's the name of our continent again?"
"It's Nayrha. You didn't know?" she asked.
I stayed silent.
"…"
"I didn't know either," Merlin added.
We walked in silence, the sound of the rain filling the way.
Even so, an unsettling feeling followed me —
As if someone… was still watching.
And for some reason, that gaze felt closer and closer.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•